How did you decide your specialty?

[Irish_Mist]

A little background information: I am a second degree BSN student and I graduate in December of this year. I have been thinking a lot about what kind of jobs to apply for since graduation is around the corner. So far, I have done my ob (L&D) and post partum rotations. I work one on one with a preceptor on a cario/neuro critical care unit and have so far worked with her around 250 hours. I will be with her another 225 hours this summer and then again in the fall. I will do my peds and psych rotations in July. We will also get a chance to do a rotation or two in the ER and ICU as well once we take the acute care class in the fall.

Having said all that, I still don't know where I belong. I LOVED labor and delivery but I also love critical care. Should I just bite the bullet and apply for anything and everything for new grads? I know that new grads have some fierce competition and that beggars can't be choosers but I want to be happy where I work (who doesn't?). I am in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area if that matters.

[Mhays]

When I was studying to become a nurse, I really had no idea what type of specialty that I wanted to do. It was not until I did my nursing home rotation that my friends in that rotation told me that I was very good with the geriatrics and that would be a very good specialty for me. So, I ended up working a lot of my career in the geriatric field and I have loved it ever since. I have also been very blessed to have had some pediatric experience too.

[Mhays]

I decided on both of my specialties of geriatric nursing care and school health by accident. I had no idea of what to pursue when it came to specialties. Then, a lot of students came to me and said that I have a very special gift when it comes to the geriatric population. So, I listened to what they said and realized that I do have a very special gift. Then, about six years later, I became a teacher at the local school and she also wanted me to be a school nurse and the first ever school nurse at the school since I had all of that medical health training before. So, I accepted that and I am happy that I have accepted the offer because now I really enjoy that type of nursing specialty. So, I am thankful that I pursued both avenues because it has enhanced my nursing career a great deal.

[Mhays]

I always thought that my job decided my specialty for me. When I graduated, the boss that I did my internship with wanted me to stay and work there part-time. So, I said "Yes." This internship was an adult day care center facility in a rehab center and nursing home facility. It was working with patients that were geriatric. So, I worked there for about 6 years and then my next job involved children; so I became a school nurse. Now, I am back with patients that are geriatric because my job is at an assisted living facility. So, jobs do tell where your nursing specialty will be.

[ottersloveoysters]

The job market is very tight where I live so there were not a lot of options. When I graduated I knew I did not want maternity or pediatrics but I was open to anything else. I sort of fell into outpatient nursing and I have enjoyed it.

[Mhays]

The nursing students that were in my group helped me to figure out my specialty and that specialty was in geriatric population. The reason that they helped me was because they talked to me while we were doing our geriatric rotation about how well I talk with the patients and how well I respond and talk with the patients. They said that I have a special calling about this population. So, I started working in the geriatric unit and I know continue to work in that same similar aspect after 10 years of teaching.